Possibly he does not perceive the patterns in behavior and interaction which others may pick up on easily. Often direct teaching may help.
What is obvious to one is not necessarily obvious to another.
So many capabilities may be brain-based, and people learn to compensate by training one part of the brain to help out with other weaker areas.
While teaching him to notice patterns in behavior and interaction, you may also wish to ask him what he sees in different situations. Learning how he experiences sticky situations may help provide clues as to what he may need to learn to be more observant of and more responsive to.
